Talk of The Villages Florida - View Single Post - Golf course home damage
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Old 03-01-2024, 04:23 PM
ElDiabloJoe ElDiabloJoe is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mrs. Heck View Post
Thank you to the nice man who stopped to see if his ball did any damage. While on Churchill Greens a few days ago, his ball went through (an apparent weak spot in) our birdcage screen and bounced around in our lanai. He offered his name and number, and I thanked him and returned his ball.

What a difference from the fellow 2 weeks prior who broke our bathroom window with his ball. He didn’t even come up our side of hole of number 6. We have his ball too, if he wants it back!
I broke a window on a house while hitting down a fairway a couple of years ago. Knocking on the door went unanswered. Left my name and number with a neighbor. Eventually agreed to go 50-50 with the homeowner on the window repair.

During my research during that time, I learned states vary, but most states go by two rules:

1. If your house was there first, and then the golf course came, they are responsible for damage players cause to your house. However;

2. If you knowingly built or bought on a golf course that was already there or disclosed to be coming, then you assumed the risk of golf ball damage when you purchased, players are not held responsible for the damage they cause to your home.

My opinion however, is that if my ball caused damage to your house because I could not keep it on the fairway, then I am at least partially (and likely wholly) responsible. Just because you cannot hold me legally liable does not trump my moral obligation. Others and their opinions will vary, of course.
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